Pages

Saturday, September 17, 2011

The Cinematheque Reviews: Contagion (+ A Soderbergh Top 10)

For ramshackle Hawksian auteur Steven Soderbergh's 22nd film (23rd if you were to count Che as two films, but who would do that?) the director has created a rather scintillating look at an epic viral pandemic that threatens to devour the whole damn world. Contagion is the kind of film that gets people thinking about such seemingly innocuous things as touching one's face and reaching into a bowl of pretzels at a bar. Scary stuff indeed, but not scary like horror movie scary, but scary in a way way existential way - which is better in this guy's book. My review of said scary existential film is currently up and running over at The Cinematheque.

Since we are here, and I do love me a good list, here are my choices for the 10 best Steven Soderbergh films. I must preface this list with the sad, but soon to be remedied, fact that this critic has never seen King of the Hill, Full Frontal, The Good German nor Schizopolis. With that said, here are my ten favourite Soderberghs.

Che number 1? Never heard that one before but that's awesome. King of the Hill would certainly make the cut for me (someone really needs to get that out of DVD wink wink Criterion). I'm sure you'll need to update your list after taking in some of those titles.